How Julia Roberts' Costumer Beat the Heat for 'Eat Pray Love'

From Europe to Bali, filming Eat Pray Love was one hot job–literally! With temperatures soaring to over 100 degrees in some locations, it was no easy task keeping star Julia Roberts in costume and comfortable. “I made sure the clothes were as light as they possibly could be and still told the story,” Eat Pray Love costume designer Michael Dennison tells PEOPLE. And the scorching heat wasn’t the only issue for the skilled costumer when it came to dressing Julia. While shooting in Rome, Dennison also had to account for his leading lady’s real and perceived weight gain due to all those eating scenes. “She probably put on about seven pounds,” he admits. “I scaled down clothes and stuff like that to make them look tighter, and loosened up clothes to make it look like she was gaining more weight than she actually did.” And by the time they got to India, the progression to baggy clothing seemed natural for Julia’s character. “It was intrinsic to the Ashram that her clothes be as loose and flowy and airy as possible,” says Dennison. “It’s like a dress-code, they’re prayer clothes and also work clothes, and to be practical you [don’t] want anything close to your body. It’s too hot!” –Andrea DeSimone; with reporting by Mary Green

I am reading the book and just saw the movie. I liked both, but I can see why there are going to be some who don’t. The book and movie is not your typical Hollywood-style movie. It’s focus is on Ms. Gilbert’s journey to elightenment and not a movie purely to entertain (although it has those moments as well.) What I’m trying to say is that it moves at a somewhat slower pace but yet it has many wonderful messages for all of us in our own lives if we stop, take the time and reflect on it. IMHO…that’s what makes the movie and the book worth seeing/reading.

Dharma
on August 15th, 2010

@Lori. Please dont come to India, I doubt your presence will benefit us in anyway. Yes there is extreme poverty & Filth, but there is also incredible richness and Joy for life, spirituality, colour, History, culture and energy. Not that any of that is likely to permeate your vapid, superficial head. Stay at home why dont you, and worship at the altar of someone like Paris Hilton.

linda
on August 15th, 2010

the scenery in bally was fantastic, there is too much hype around Julia Roberts. Reese Witherspoon is a better fit for the part
the movie was very disappointing (what a waste of 25 dollars).

Mary Ann
on August 15th, 2010

Loved the book, the movie left me let’s say, disappointed. Julie Roberts may have an electric smile, but I felt she missed the mark regarding expressing the passion & depth of character needed to portray Liz’s journey of self discovery after a devastating divorce.

As much as I liked Javier’s portrayal of Filipe, he is much too young and handsome to play this part. Filipe, as readers all know, is 17 years older than Liz and is supposed to be an unconventional choice as a love interest for her.

Mary Ann
on August 15th, 2010

I forget to mention that the contrived ending in the movie was appalling! The fabricated fight between Filipe and Liz over committing to each other and how Liz needed to have the medicine man in Bali tell her what to do. FALSE FALSE FALSE

After spending a year to find herself, she was strong enough to make her OWN decision. Isn’t that the point of Eat Pray Love to begin with? She took this journey to find herself and in the Hollywood version of the movie, she needs Mr. Bali medicine man to tell her what to do…what’s up wuth that, except a not so clever hollywood twist to cause conflict where none was needed.

patrice
on August 15th, 2010

warning – this may be SPOILER if you’ve not watched it yet!!!
it was disappointing. i didn’t read the book but did watch the elizabeth gilbert interview on oprah. during interview mzgilbert explains why eating was a huge part of her healing. and she explains why and how lonmg it took to leave her husband. during the interview i was rooting for her decision to leave him. routing again for her when she could finally enjoy food again. in the movie julia comes across as a selfish love and leave em – then says she’s afraid to love again – when did she get dumped? – only showed her as dumper not dumpee. it was entertaining but not worth the price of the ticket. also i expected much better cinematography.

Ashley
on August 15th, 2010

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; and that is the first step in the direction of wisdom.

Ashley
on August 15th, 2010

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step; and that is the first step in the direction of wisdom. With every step we take we grow.

FOR ALMOST A YEAR I HAVE HAD THE JOY OF SHARING
EXPERIENCES WITH A BLIND LADY. BEING SIGHTED AND
TAKING IT FOR GRANTED. SHE HAS THOUGHT ME TO SEE
THE REAL WORLD. WE GO TO MOVIES AND MUSEUMS I SHARE
MY MY VIEW AND AND SHE DOES HERS. WE BOTH THINK TOO
MUCH IS MADE OF OUTWARD BEAUTY-MORE FROM THE HEART
NOT CLOTHES AND OTHER NOT IMPORTANT NOT ITEMS.SHE
SHE NOT CARRY EXCESS BAGGAGE